Chargers rally for split with ODU

Wednesday

Apr 3, 2013 at 9:00 AM

By Ed Patino

ed.patino@hillsdale.netHILLSDALE — The bats came to life at the right time for the Hillsdale College baseball team.After a close loss in the opener and falling into an early hole in the second game Tuesday, the Chargers stormed back to gain a split in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader against the Ohio Dominican University Panthers at Simpson Field. The Chargers won the the nightcap 11-5 after Ohio Dominican pulled out the first game 3-2 in nine innings.Hillsdale (11-12, 4-6 GLIAC) will host the Panthers again today for a single game to wrap up the three-game series.In the second game, Ohio Dominican (10-14, 6-4 GLIAC) plated four runs in the top of the first inning, but the Chargers fought back with four runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Hillsdale then scored three runs in both the third and fourth innings to take control.Bryan Rudolph hit a two-run home run in the top of the first, giving the Panthers a 4-0 lead. Three of the four Ohio Dominican runs in the frame were unearned.Hillsdale quickly answered in the bottom of the first. Luke Ortel scored on Sean Bennett's flyout, then Connor Bartlett's RBI single scored Zak Northrup. Later in the frame, Vinny Delicata hit a two-RBI single to score Bartlett and Mike Vanchieri, making it 4-4.After a scoreless second inning, the Chargers took the lead in the bottom of the third when Northrup drilled a bases-clearing triple to right field, scoring Tad Sobieszczanski, Brad Hayden and Ortel. The Panthers got a run back in the top of the fourth, but Hillsdale added three more runs in the bottom half of the frame. Vanchieri scored on a walk, then Bartlett came home on Delicata's flyout. Geordy Smith came home on a wild pitch, making it 10-4.Bennett hit a RBI single to score Northrup in the bottom of the fifth inning to close out the scoring.Northrup went 4-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored to lead the Chargers. Bartlett was 2-for-4 with a RBI and two runs, while Bennett went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Ortel and Vanchieri both finished 1-for-3 with two runs scored and Delicata added a hit and three RBIs.Jon Hanrahan recovered from a rough start to post his first pitching win of the season. The sophomore allowed five runs (one earned) on seven hits and struck out two while going the distance.Ryan Rovnak was 3-for-4 with a run scored to lead Ohio Dominican. Rudolph went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs, while Collin Parcher was 1-for-3 with a RBI and run scored. Phil Jaskot finished 1-for-3 with a RBI.Alberto Canales allowed five runs on three hits in 1 2/3 innings and took the pitching loss.The Panthers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning of the opener. Rovnak scored on an error, then Parcher came home on a passed ball.Hillsdale rallied in the bottom of the seventh to extend the game. Bennett drilled a solo home run over the right field fence, then Scott Rhodes scored on Bartlett's RBI double.Rovnak gave Ohio Dominican a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth inning when he scored on a flyout. The Chargers were unable to answer in the bottom half of the frame.Bennett finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a RBI and run scored to lead the Chargers, while Bartlett went 2-for-4 with a RBI. Ortel and Vanchieri both added a hit. Shane Armstrong pitched the first eight innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out seven, but recorded a no decision. Dan Pochmara took the loss in relief.Rovnak went 3-for-4 with two runs scored to lead Ohio Dominican, while Jossue Delgado was 3-for-4 with a RBI and run scored. Parcher finished 2-for-4 at the plate. Vince Bartolone pitched the final 2 2/3 innings and earned the win. Sean Blackburn started the game, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out five in 6 1/3 innings.